Demands for closing the toll gate on National Highway 75 at B.C. Road and to lay 400-kV Yellur (Udupi)-Kasaragod power transmission line either underground or via sea route were made at the Dakshina Kannada district-level ‘janaspandana’ programme held at Bantwal on Wednesday.
Minister in charge of the district and Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao received petitions from people at the programme.
Some of the other petitions received were related to demands for appointing doctors at government hospitals, widening Vitla-Saradkka Road, constructing an electric sub-station at Kuddu Padavu, and to build a new bridge across the Netravathi at Panemangaluru.
Of about 100 petitions received by the Minister, about 74 applications pertained to issues in Bantwal taluk.
The Minister distributed title deeds to 177 persons on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rao asked officials to address the issues and complaints of poor people on priority.
He asked officials to behave decently with people. “Don’t forget the fact that the government exists for the people,” he said.
The Minister said that Karnataka has emerged as a model in the country in reaching out guarantee schemes to people.
Inspects Polali bridge
Earlier, the Minister inspected the Polali bridge strengthening works at Polali, on the outskirts of Mangaluru.
Speaking to presspersons later in Bantwal, the Minister said that he has instructed the PWD officials to complete the works before May and open the bridge for all traffic before the monsoon. The government is also examining a proposal to construct a new bridge at Polali, he said.
Referring to complaints over sand extraction near the pillars of the bridge, the Minister said that he has instructed officials to keep a watch to curb any such extraction.
“When it comes to the question of sand extraction and transportation many join hands. Hence it is not easy to curb illegal extraction and transportation. I have asked officials to prevent extraction within 500 m radius of the pillars of bridges by installing CCTV cameras,” he said.
Published – February 05, 2025 07:51 pm IST